New Rochelle schools budget saves 14 jobs; layoffs still possible

Apr. 25, 2013

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NEW ROCHELLE — The school district will keep 14 teaching posts that would have been cut in the budget originally proposed for next year, but about 40 positions remain in jeopardy, officials said.

The Board of Education unanimously adopted the $239.5 million spending plan for 2013-14, while expressing regret at the tough measures it requires.

“We know how serious it is for someone to lose their job,” board President Chrisanne Petrone said at the April 17 meeting. “We understand that this is a hardship, but we also know that we have to make these tough decisions at this time, and we’ve never had to go into the classroom before, so we don’t take this very lightly.”

Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey Korostoff said the number of teachers and others laid off would be “far less” than the number of positions cut because of retirements, resignations and employees who may take leaves of absence.

The district, burdened by increasing mandated state costs, benefited from $1.2 million in state aid that was announced after the budget season began. Also, officials found more savings and chose to add $60,000 in spending to match the maximum amount it could raise in taxes under the tax cap.

Still more good news came when previous state aid was readjusted, resulting in another $72,000 for next year, said Assistant Superintendent John Quinn.

The tax increase would be slightly larger than originally planned, but would remain around 4.5 percent.

The owner of an average home assessed at $16,000 would pay a bill of about $11,400, almost $500 more than this year.

The original $238.1 million plan was expected to cut 56 positions, 33 of them teachers. But the additional money would allow them to restore 14 teachers plus a student assistance counselor, officials said.

Officials plan to have more specific numbers on cuts by the May 7 public hearing on the spending plan. Residents will vote on the budget May 21.

Martin Daly, president of the teachers union, said the board and administrators worked hard to shield the classrooms and programs from the cuts as much as possible.

“They have made every effort to not cut into the core,” he said.

While teachers continue to give their all, he said, the continued stress has weighed on them.

“The morale is really being undermined by the need to cut the budget and by seeing colleagues laid off every year,” he said.